The National Sanctuary Defense Fund was established in 1984 to raise funds for the legal defense of sanctuary workers and refugees from Central America. Immigrants from El Salvador and Guatemala in particular were arrested and indicted during the 1980s for violating federal immigration laws. Other immigrant groups were also included. Work with Haitian refugees in the 1990s included a visit by Jean-Bertrand Aristide to Berkeley, CA in 1994.Board members included Gustav Schultz and Eileen Purcell. Administrators included Thomas Ambrogi, Penny Deleray, and Andrea Lampros.

Growing political and military ferment in Central America in the 1970s caused people to flee their countries, particularly El Salvador and Guatemala. U.S. churches of all denominations became acutely aware of the situation after the assassination of El Salvador's Archbishop Oscar Romero in March 1980. Individual congregations began to assist Central American refugees escaping the oppression and violence by seeking asylum in the U.S.

8.5 linear feet (9 boxes, 2 folios) 6 images/objects

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